Moroccan international Neil El Aynaoui has spoken for the first time following his deadline-day move to RB Leipzig. The 25-year-old midfielder joined on loan from AS Roma, strengthening the Red Bulls' midfield options just before the transfer window closed.
El Aynaoui will wear the number 21 shirt for RB Leipzig. "I chose the number 21 because my younger brother was born on 21st August. So I chose it for him," the player said.
Who is Neil El Aynaoui?
Neil El Aynaoui is a 25-year-old midfielder who last played for AS Roma. He describes himself as a hybrid player capable of playing in multiple midfield positions. The Moroccan emphasizes that he likes to contribute both offensively and defensively and to run hard for the team. His biggest career highlight so far was Morocco's penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands in the knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Why did he choose RB Leipzig?
"It was always a dream of mine to play in the Bundesliga for a big club like RB Leipzig," El Aynaoui explained. His initial talks with the club left him with a good feeling and he was very impressed. Before making the move, he sought advice from fellow countrymen with experience in German football. Achraf Hakimi and Ismaël Saibari, both Moroccan internationals, gave him positive feedback about life in Germany. El Aynaoui even spent part of the summer with Ismaël Saibari in southern France.
How does he fit into the current squad?
RB Leipzig started the 2026/27 Bundesliga season with a win and sits in 4th place in the standings with 3 points from 1 game. The team has scored 3 goals and conceded none so far this season. The current injury list includes Brajan Gruda, Christoph Baumgartner, Rocco Reitz, and Castello Lukeba, as shown on our injuries page. El Aynaoui's flexibility in midfield provides manager Marco Rose with additional options, especially ahead of the upcoming home match against Hamburger SV on September 13th. HSV is currently 15th in the table.
The new signing is already looking forward to seeing the fans at the Red Bull Arena. A particular season highlight for him will undoubtedly be the clash with record champions Bayern Munich. First, RB Leipzig is focusing on preparation for the next competitive match. You can find the exact schedule on our fixtures page. Neil El Aynaoui will take to the pitch wearing the number 21.
